Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LetMyPeopleVote

(177,801 posts)
Mon Feb 23, 2026, 10:44 AM Yesterday

Deadline Legal Blog-Judge Cannon blocks release of Jack Smith's classified documents report

The Trump appointee had previously dismissed the criminal case against Trump on the grounds that the special counsel was unlawfully appointed.

BREAKING: Judge Cannon blocks release of Jack Smith’s classified documents report

READ MORE: www.ms.now/deadline-whi...

MS NOW (@ms.now) 2026-02-23T15:04:19.584Z

https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/judge-cannon-blocks-release-of-jack-smiths-classified-documents-report

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted a request from President Donald Trump and his former co-defendants to block the release of Jack Smith’s report on the classified documents case he brought against Trump.

Cannon had dismissed the case in 2024 when Trump was running for president. The Justice Department was appealing her order, but dropped the appeal when he won the election, due to the DOJ’s policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.

Explaining her reasoning on Monday, the Trump-appointed judge wrote, in part, that “there is the matter of manifest injustice to the former defendants that would result from disclosure of Volume II. Special Counsel Smith, acting without lawful authority, obtained an indictment in this action and initiated proceedings that resulted in a final order of dismissal of all charges.”....

Cannon rejected a defense request to order the report’s destruction.

The 11th Circuit has reversed this idiot judge several times. I am looking forward to seeing this idiot reversed yet again
4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Deadline Legal Blog-Judge Cannon blocks release of Jack Smith's classified documents report (Original Post) LetMyPeopleVote Yesterday OP
She's an accomplice and has failed to honor her oath and she needs disbarred or whatever they do to corrupt judges Deuxcents Yesterday #1
Take the house, then drag her ass in front of it Johonny Yesterday #2
K&R for, hoped *reversal*! UTUSN Yesterday #3
Trump admitted to insiders that Jack Smith had him 'dead to rights': report LetMyPeopleVote 5 hrs ago #4

Deuxcents

(26,299 posts)
1. She's an accomplice and has failed to honor her oath and she needs disbarred or whatever they do to corrupt judges
Mon Feb 23, 2026, 11:01 AM
Yesterday

Johonny

(25,872 posts)
2. Take the house, then drag her ass in front of it
Mon Feb 23, 2026, 12:46 PM
Yesterday

She can't prevent Smith from talking to congress or releasing them a report. Separation of powers. They can also investigate her. And should.

LetMyPeopleVote

(177,801 posts)
4. Trump admitted to insiders that Jack Smith had him 'dead to rights': report
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 09:36 AM
5 hrs ago

trump broke the law and is hoping that Cannon can protect him

Of all the legal problems Donald Trump faced, from accusations of sexual assault to business fraud, he most feared the Florida stolen government documents investigation by special counsel Jack Smith that ended up being dropped when he won re-election.

Raw Story (@rawstory.com) 2026-02-24T12:50:49Z

https://www.rawstory.com/judge-cannon-jack-smith

Of all the legal problems Donald Trump faced, from accusations of sexual assault to business fraud, he most feared the Florida stolen government documents investigation by special counsel Jack Smith that ended up being dropped when he won re-election.

That is according to “Morning Joe” co-host Jonathan Lemire, who reported on the president’s terror at being convicted during a discussion on U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon's Monday ruling that permanently blocked the Justice Department from releasing Smith’s final report.

With MS NOW legal analyst Lisa Rubin once again saying “all bets” would be off if the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals decides to intervene, Lemire pointed out that Trump knew he was fortunate that his appointee covered up for him.

After noting there was considerable second-guessing going on after Smith elected to pursue the case in Florida, which led to Cannon’s courtroom, Lemire reported, ”Judge Cannon ended up putting a thumb on the scale significantly for Trump down the line. And you're right, Joe [Scarborough], we've talked about it on this show, Trump has privately told people, you know, more or less that he [Smith] was dead to rights on that one.”

“That was the case, the classified documents case that he feared the most,” he added. “And I know there will be second-guessing for all time in terms of the sequencing of those cases. The one in Manhattan went first, got a conviction, but it seemed to many to be the least serious, and we will never know if things had gone quicker or if the order was changed, what would have happened.“

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Deadline Legal Blog-Judge...